Wondering what to do at night in Melbourne? Never been to karaoke? Perhaps you’re planning the ultimate night out!

Karaoke, a brilliant activity to let loose, a chance to make a fool of yourself without the regret, a reason to belt out like a total rockstar to your favourite song and lastly bond & laugh with your gang, whether it’s a duo to ‘Shallow’ by Lady Gaga or the whole gang belting out ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’. 

It could be your first time with a microphone or maybe you’re a karaoke enthusiast looking for your next karaoke destination. Well, we’ve got 7 reasons why you should EAT, SIP, SING & REPEAT at Yum Sing House. 

#1 UNEXPECTED FUN

You’ve been invited to karaoke for a birthday and it’s your first time ever. We get it, singing in front of an audience can be a little scary, especially when you’ve never done it before. Karaoke is a great activity to help build your confidence, self esteem and we couldn’t think of a better way to break that shy streak than in our private karaoke rooms with your squad. Not only will your confidence increase but karaoke strengthens bonds & brings people together. Why not get together while listening to your loved ones sing? Whether they’re amateur or pro, it will be something memorable to laugh about after. So grab the mic, overcome your fears & have a blast!

#2 SING TO YOUR FAVOURITE SONGS 

Nothing screams an ultimate karaoke session like singing through decades of all time classics. Our system is equipped with party jams, R&B hits, rock classics & rap songs ready to get the whole group involved in a singalong or perhaps a standing ovation by the least expected person. There’s tracks that’ll bring nostalgia to all generations whether you’re into 80’s classics or the latest trending song. We’ve also got a selection of international hits in Chinese, Thai, Filipino, Vietnamese & more. 

#3 DEDICATED LATE NIGHT KARAOKE KITCHEN

We’ve all been in the situation where we’ve been out drinking, having fun, singing & dancing and suddenly we’re famished, contemplating whether to leave & get some food or continue the party. Well, fear not, we’ve got a dedicated chef & karaoke menu to give you that fuel to continue your night. Scan the QR codes in our private karaoke rooms and order some treats such as Fried Chicken Wingettes, Loaded Fries with Wagyu Mapo and for our vegetarian friends enjoy options such as Vegetarian Spring Rolls, Tempura Eggplant Baos & more. View our Karaoke menu here.   

 #4 ALL IN ONE ENTERTAINTMENT VENUE

You’ve been handed the task of planning the perfect night out for a Hens Night, you’re thinking of dinner followed by karaoke but it’s been difficult to find a venue that can fit in large groups. In addition, you were hoping the travel distance between the venue won’t be too far as gathering the group & organising ubers/taxis could be difficult. Your all in one action packed venue is here to make your evening as smooth & easy as possible. Enjoy a delicious banquet style dinner with your squad then wander upstairs to our LKF bar (Lan Kwai Fong) for a drink before heading into your karaoke room to sing into the late night. 

#5 BOOZE, BOOZE, BOOZE.

It wouldn’t be a carefree karaoke night without some booze. Yum Sing House offers an extensive beverage range to quench your thirst from signature cocktails, mocktails, beer, wine and premium spirits to even non alcoholic beers. Crowd favourite cocktails such as our ‘Suzie Wong’, a delicious lychee martini concoction & our ‘KungFu Pandan’, our spin on a pina colada. After something a little stronger? We house an extensive range of spirits from Clase Azul, Nikka Whisky, Hennessy Paradis & More. Want to see our beverage lis

#6 PACKAGES FOR ALL OCCASIONS

We offer two types of 2 hour packages dependent on the night you’re planning to have. Our first package type is by the spirit bottle, inclusive of mixers, this one’s for the ones that know they’re definitely having a big night. Our other package type is a room hire fee with some bonus credit to use on food or drinks. This package does include YSH shots (pandan, pineapple & vodka), fruit platters & chips. However, if you book Happy Valley (our largest room), it also includes either a bottle of Chandon Brut NV or Beer Tower. BUT! For all our female friends out there, keep an eye out for our Hens Night packages launching in the near future, expect to see some spicy entertainment coming your way.

#7 DID WE MENTION, PRIVATE KARAOKE ROOMS?

We have 5 private karaoke rooms all inspired by iconic neighbourhoods in Hong Kong. Our large room, Happy Valley, fits up to 25 guests. Our medium size rooms, Kowloon, WanChai & Central, fit up to 15 guests. Our small room, Mongkok, fits up to 7 guests. Both our medium & large size rooms all have their own private toilet. We also have dedicated karaoke wait staff for each room so you can make the most of your evening & sing your heart out!

We hope we’ve encouraged you to try out karaoke for the first time or consider us for your next karaoke destination! 

Born in the vibrant bustling city of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Chef Aiven has always been fascinated by the operations of the kitchen ever since he could remember. He’s a chef of humble beginnings, who began his culinary journey working at local restaurants in his hometown. “[There], I fell in love with the work, the environment and decided this was what I wanted to pursue further,” he says. 

As Yum Sing House started to come alive, Chef Aiven began to develop a menu that intertwined his love for Canto cuisine whilst coupled with contemporary flavours to create the dishes and crowd favourites you know & love today. Join us as we step into a day in the life of head chef Aiven Lee, how the love & breadth of food knowledge has been translated from the kitchen to the fiery dishes served.  

2:00 PM

By this time, I’ve picked up my coffee and headed through the doors of Yum Sing House. I greet the team, check the bookings & all the fresh produce deliveries. We work with some great local suppliers such as Flinders & Co. who supply our grass-fed T-Bone steak and D & K Live Seafood. Long & the team look after us with Jade Tiger abalone & Pacific oysters. Now it’s time to put on the apron, sharpen my knives and spend some time prepping for the evening.

4:00 PM

As we get closer to service, it’s time to fire up the woks and heat up the charcoal for the hibachi grill. Woks are an absolute staple in any Canto kitchen, the aromas from the wok hei (“wok energy” or “wok breath” in Cantonese) provide such a unique smokey flavour when we toss our X.O. Lap Cheong Fried Rice. On the other hand we use the hibachi on dishes like the T-Bone Steak & Honey Soy Sticky Pork Ribs. The flavourful aroma absorbs right into the meat, giving it that unmistakable smokey, charred flavour. It’s all about layers of flavours and texture at YSH. We use the same approach for all meat & vegetarian dishes. 

5:00 PM

It’s time to whip up dinner for the team, to keep everybody topform for service, I’ve got to ensure their bellies are full and they’re fueled up. The staff meals are generally made with excess stock, we try to keep wastage as minimal as possible. In saying that, I do like to have a bit of fun. I remember one evening we had Hainanese Chicken, another time we had extra pork ribs, so I made a hearty hot & sour soup for the team, they loved that one especially in this cold weather. We all generally sit down together, managers, FOH & BOH. It’s nice to connect, chat and laugh before the storm of service. 

6:00PM

Service is now in full swing, it’s vital to stay focused & alert. As we generally have two seating sessions & full team to manage, I’ve learnt to remain calm even when it’s stressful. Everyday brings new challenges and you just never know what you’re in for. Despite that, I love the hustle & bustle atmosphere here at Yum Sing House, from the fierce inferno of the woks, to the buzz of chatter and the occasional Yummmm…Sing! (“Yum Sing” translates to “cheers” in Canto).  

This sums up my life in a day of a chef, it can be stressful, exhausting but highly rewarding too. There is something magnificent in seeing the results of your work translated immediately into dishes & the enjoyment on people’s faces when they take that first bite.  

Credit: Riley Wolff

Food, Family, and Festivities at one of Melbourne’s Modern Cantonese Spots

For those who celebrate it, Lunar New Year is a special time filled with old traditions and new hopes, where people gather with family, friends, and loved ones to ring in the new year. 

If you don’t celebrate, you’re at least familiar with some Lunar New Year traditions – namely the gifting of red envelopes, usually containing money and passed from older members of the family to the younger generation. But beyond red envelopes or firecrackers, there’s one thing that you can count on at every Lunar New Year celebration, and that’s good food. To celebrate Lunar New Year in Australia, we linked up with Kiet Diep, proprietor of Yum Sing House, one of the hottest Asian restaurants in Melbourne. Yum Sing House not only dishes up modern Cantonese food amongst a backdrop inspired by the bright lights and back alleys of Hong Kong, the upper floor boasts a truly epic karaoke bar. Nice.

Kiet, how would you describe Yum Sing House for people who haven’t been?

Kiet Diep: Yum Sing House is really my way of bringing together a bunch of my passions under the one roof. I love Hong Kong culture, and I also love food in general. So I get to build a brand that is fun, synonymous with having a good time, but it’s also about really high quality food and drinks, but in a fun way. I’m also passionate about music – while we’re eating we’re satisfying our sense of taste and smell and sight, but I believe there’s a way to heighten the dining experience with music.

What does it mean to you to be opening the doors for Lunar New Year and have people choose Yum Sing House as their place to celebrate this special time of year?

It means a lot that people want to celebrate with us. There’s an air of excitement around this time. For people who don’t know Lunar New Year, I liken it to the western traditions of Christmas and New Year, but combined – the build up and excitement of each of those moments is what we feel at one time for New Year. As well as the celebration aspect, it’s also a time for new hope. For our team, it’s about putting all the bad luck of last year behind us, all the interruptions we’ve had through lockdowns, and looking forward. The Lion Dancers we have at this time represent good health and good fortune.

It has been a rough couple of years for the hospitality industry, but Melburnians love restaurant culture. It must be nice to feel the buzz of a busy restaurant again?

Definitely – we haven’t hit back to ‘normal’ yet, but we’re on the right path. Melbourne feels a bit cautious in our response to the pandemic which makes it hard for us, but we will get there.

How would you describe the typical Yum Sing House customer?

Generally they’re in their 30’s, and they love to have a good time. It’s not just about food for them, it’s about the whole going out experience, and they come here because we create such a vibrant, fun, warm and welcoming environment, with the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong. I call them ‘social diners’ – they were clubbing in their 20’s, but now they want to do something a bit more relaxed but still full of energy.

You guys are in such a legit spot – you’re literally across the laneway from Supply Store, which is an institution in Australian streetwear and sneakers. I know you’re a sneakerhead yourself, talk to me about that.

I grew up in a working class family – we never had money for luxuries like nice sneakers. As a kid I was always wearing shoes from a brand called ‘Aerosport’, which I’m sure a few people remember, but all the other kids at school had Converse or Nike. I would always look at what the other kids had but it wasn’t possible for us, I knew that stuff was out of reach for my parents. But the pair that always stood out was the first time I saw some Jordan 5’s. They just stuck with me, I knew that one day I would get them. I think the silhouette is just beautiful – the reflective tongue was such a big thing for the time. I like the vents on the side, it’s a nice carry over from the Jordan 4. It’s also a nice throwback now to the 90’s which was such an important time for me growing up.

Finally, tell me a bit about the team you have here at Yum Sing House. We’ve got to hang today with Head Chef Aiven and Bar Manager Linh – it feels like a tight team and of course they both have skills!

Our team here has always been a really tight bunch. We wanted to develop a certain culture – everyone is very close. We’ve been through a lot together – whether that’s lockdowns or holidays, those moments bring the team closer together. And as far as Lunar New Year, this is a special time for all of our team who celebrate it. It’s also something of a marker for us, a time for reflection. It’s a time to acknowledge that we’ve made it through all of the lockdowns over the last year and we’re through the other side.

For the full article, please visit StockX. 

Nothing screams summer relaxation like a cold cocktail on a hot day. The bright sun and warm air calls for light, fruity and refreshing drinks – plus no summer is complete without a boozy night out with the crew. Consider skipping the classics while we’re still in summer and sip on something with more of a twist. Our signature cocktails feature Asian-centered ingredients, from yuzu, pandan, lychee to lime. But beware, they all go down far too easily!

Leng Lui Spritz 

Summer is the season of sunshine, sea, sand and spritz! Nothing beats a cold, tall glass of this refreshing, fizzy and citrus treat. What’s in it? A combination of tart yuzu, fragrant elderflower, lime juice, a hit of vodka, topped with sparkling wine. Appearance wise, this drink honours its name (“leng lui” 靚女 means “pretty girl” in Cantonese). Satisfy all your sweet temptations with this floral and citrus summer fling.Kung Fu Pandan 

Kickstart your night out with this tropical and fruity combination of Rum, Coconut Cream, Pandan Syrup, Pineapple and Lime Juice. It’s our own twist on a Pina Colada. Pandan is a tropical plant that grows all over Southeast Asia, holding a naturally sweet taste and soft aroma with hints of a nutty vanilla flavour. It’s definitely the star of this drink, giving it an amazing lush flavour, paired especially well with the creamy textural component of the coconut cream. Cool off and enjoy this unique, punchy treat to transport your taste buds to the coastlines of Southeast Asia.Suzie Wong 

For all the martini sippers, this sweet and tarty pleasure is for you. Concocted with vodka, lychee, cloudy apple and a kiss of lemon juice, this blend of fruity flavours will satisfy all your thirst quenching desires. Lychee has a naturally sweet, aromatic taste to it, making it the perfect pair to the fresh and crisp aroma profile of cloudy apple juice. The touch of lemon adds some tart and depth to the overall flavor, keeping the drink from being overly sweet. One sip of this and you’ll think: ahhh tastes like summer!Send Off Your Summer with a Taste of Yum Sing House 

The end of summer is approaching fast, so be sure to get your wild night out on the town while it’s still here! You can find all these unique, refreshing cocktails at Yum Sing House, so why not give one a try or perhaps enjoy all three? We’re open late from Thursday to Saturday to give you plenty of time to get a booking in. We’ll see you here. Cheers!

The 1st of February marks the start of the year of the tiger, and if ever a New Year needed good fortune and prosperity, it’s 2022. Whether this Lunar New Year will be your first, or your tenth, here are some ways you and your family can bring plenty of prosperity, luck, joy and happiness for the year. 

1. Brighten Up with Some Colour

Put up some red decorations around the house or deck yourself out in brightly coloured clothes on the 1st of February. Better yet, treat yourself to a brand new red outfit to wear. Red is a lucky colour in Chinese culture and wearing new clothes on the very first day of the year symbolises a new start and fresh hopes for the New Year. Not a bad way to kickstart the year! 

2. Book a Family Reunion  

If there was ever a best time to catch up with your family members, the Lunar New Year would be it. Family plays a very important role, which is reflected in the significance of a family reunion during the Lunar New Year celebrations. While a reunion dinner is traditionally enjoyed at home, why not give the elders a break and book a dinner out this year? Enjoy a Lunar New Year feast with 6 dishes for $330 at Yum Sing House to save the trouble of menu planning, grocery shopping and the big clean up after. Add karaoke onto your New Years plans and welcome the year whilst singing with friends and family. Yum Sing House offers 5 different private karaoke rooms to cater to all your celebration needs. 

3. Exchange Red Envelopes 

Red Envelopes, also known as 利事, pronounced as “Lai See” in Cantonese, is one of the most popular and traditional ways to celebrate the Lunar New Year. It’s a tradition that is all about the reciprocity of giving and receiving, and less about the money inside. The colour red symbolises energy, happiness and luck in Chinese culture, and the gesture is thought to bestow good luck and fortune. Before exchanging envelopes, the giver and receiver should always bless one another with the most common Lunar New Year greeting: 恭喜發財, pronounced as “Gong Hei Fat Choy.” So get your red envelopes ready to share the wealth with your loved ones this year. Celebrate the Lunar New Year at Yum Sing House to get your very own envelope, with a very special surprise waiting for you inside. 

4. Ring in Good Luck with a Prosperity Toss  

Yee Sang, or better known as the Prosperity Toss, is a festive raw fish salad that is a must-have starting dish for every Lunar New Year reunion. This colourful platter features a variety of prosperous ingredients, including shredded vegetables, pickled ginger and salmon, which is served with a special tasty sauce. During the Yee Sang toss, everyone joins in to toss the salad together while shouting out all sorts of auspicious wishes for the year ahead. It is a heartwarming ritual that brings friends and families together to symbolise a year of abundance, prosperity and vigor. This year, Yum Sing House has prepared a traditional Yee Sang prosperity toss for every banquet. Get your chopsticks ready and remember: the higher you toss, the more prosperity!

5. Watch a Traditional Lion Dance  

No Lunar New Year is complete without catching a glimpse of the traditional Chinese lion dance. In Chinese culture, the lion symbolises power, wisdom, and superiority. Typically, two performers will wear a lion costume and dance to the beat of gongs and drums. It is a colourful, fun and loud dance ritual that is believed to usher luck and drive away evil spirits, a great way to welcome the new year! If you don’t want to miss out, consider stopping by Yum Sing House for a lion dance performance on the 5th of February, at 8 pm. 

Join us at Yum Sing House for a Special Lunar New Year  

It’s been a rough start to a new year for Melbourne, so let us help you kick things off with a giveaway in conjunction with the Lunar New Year and the spirit of giving. Starting from the 27th of January to 5th of February, we’ve put together a list of exciting prizes to giveaway for each booking, so keep your eyes peeled! However you choose to celebrate, we wish you and your family a roaring start to the Year of the Tiger! 

Changing jobs can be one of the most challenging decisions a person can make. I recently made the decision to join Yum Sing House as a marketing assistant and thought I’d explain how I approached the decision, and just as importantly, my experience since joining. 

But First, Some Background 

I started working at Yum Sing House about 6 weeks ago, a couple of months after graduating from university, having worked in hospitality throughout my degree. I hadn’t heard of Yum Sing House before but the role looked really interesting! Based on the interview process and my research into the business, it definitely seemed like a good fit, but since it was my first marketing job and also my first job coming out of the pandemic, I was still a little nervous and unsure of what to expect. 

1. Strong Communication & Organisation 

My onboarding turned out to be really nice. The week before I started, my marketing coordinator, Kate, got in touch to give me info on my role and send over onboarding paperwork. The day I started Kate sat down with me to run through my job responsibilities, some background of the restaurant and everyone’s role in it. I was then introduced to all the other team members, followed by a meeting that included all departments of Yum Sing House. I had a chance to learn more about the other teams and to be honest I was surprised at how open the communication was between everyone. None of the jobs from my past hospitality experience had such thoroughly organised and structured meetings that involved every department. My training was all set out in the form of thorough presentation slides and checklists for the next couple of days. The best part: I could tick things off when completed (so satisfactory!). 

2. Great Team & Work Culture 

While it did take me a while to learn everyone’s names, what I quickly learned was that everyone at Yum Sing House genuinely enjoys spending time together. Different departments come together to work collaboratively, and at the end of each day we catch up over staff meals. What really strikes me (in a very positive way) is that the chefs are kind enough to prepare us restaurant-quality meals with heaps of variety, so I’m always finding myself excited to get to the end of the day! Over the course of the next few weeks, I occasionally ate with some of my teammates and learned that humour and fun are pretty commonplace. I could tell that Yum Sing House prioritises their staff, even just by the fact that we have our very own staff room to relax in and toilets for the back of house team. Being new, I naturally felt hesitant to ask questions, but everyone, especially our director Kiet, encouraged me to be curious. Surely enough, I felt comfortable and welcomed into the family. I must say it feels pretty good to work in such a friendly environment! 

3. Career Progression & Development 

The past few weeks have gone by so quickly, and with every passing day, I feel like I have grown. I know there is still a lot to learn, but what I have learnt is that everyone at Yum Sing House has a strong growth mindset. With the help of my teammates, I’ve been building knowledge on particular topics that interest me while improving my interpersonal skills. What I appreciate the most about working at Yum Sing House is that everyone’s strengths, goals and personal growth are valued. Our mission statement is “enriching lives through delightful hospitality”, and Yum Sing House recognises that the only way to achieve that mission is through engaged, happy, and satisfied employees. We all understand that only teamwork can make the dream work, and sometimes that means evolving how we do things through fresh perspectives, so why not bring yours? 

Join our Team! 

Everyone’s job change decision is ultimately personal, but I hope that by sharing my experience at Yum Sing House, I have provided some value to help you make your next employment decision. 

In case you are interested in joining the family, check out our current job openings on our Facebook page or reach out to us at info@yumsinghouse.com.au. We are always open to keen staff!